Best Romantic Restaurants in Torrance (90505)
4 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
8.9
Family-run since the early ’90s, Gaetano’s is the South Torrance benchmark for classic Italian-American comfort with scratch-made pastas, big portions, and a warm neighborhood feel. Locals use it for everything from birthdays to team dinners when they want reliable red-sauce favorites and friendlier prices than the Westside’s big-name spots.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tagliatelle with Chianti-braised short rib ragu, Butternut squash ravioli with brown butter, Pesto-crusted halibut
What makes it special: Long-running, family-owned Italian spot with scratch pastas and big portions.
#2
Primo Italia
8.7
Primo Italia is a polished, Southern Italian restaurant and cocktail bar where house-made pastas, tableside moments, and live music make it one of the area’s most sought-after date-night reservations. The kitchen leans rich and classic—think cacio e pepe, osso buco, and tiramisu—executed with more finesse than most neighborhood red-sauce joints.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tonnarelli cacio e pepe, Wild boar pappardelle, Veal chop Milanese
What makes it special: Upscale Southern Italian cooking with live music and a moody bar.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai in Vista Plaza is a Japanese ramen specialist where light, shoyu-forward broths, springy noodles, and chashu-forward bowls draw steady lines. The compact, modern room suits couples who’d rather share steaming bowls and gyoza at a cozy counter than linger over a white-tablecloth meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kitakata Shoyu Ramen, Chashu Ramen, Green Chili Shio Ramen
What makes it special: Classic Kitakata-style ramen with light, springy noodles and precise broths.
7.7
Misto Caffe & Bakery is a Hillside Village standby of more than two decades, offering cafe breakfasts, baked goods, and later-day Italian-leaning plates in a bistro-like setting. Weekend mornings bring a mix of omelets, Benedicts, and coffee on the vine-covered patio.
Must-Try Dishes:
Filet Mignon Eggs Benedict, Vegetable Omelet with breakfast potatoes, Fresh-baked muffins and scones
What makes it special: Long-running cafe-bistro pairing breakfast plates with a leafy Hillside Village patio.